TASMANIA’S peak farmer body has called for higher penalties and public help to improve farm security after a recent spate of illegal livestock butchering incidents.

TasFarmers has expressed concern at the sheep and cattle butchering incidents and said its members are fed up with the criminal activities.

TasFarmers president Ian Sauer.

TasFarmers president Ian Sauer expressed outrage at the situation, calling it “obscene” that armed trespassers are unlawfully destroying property, cutting fences, and entering farmland to butcher livestock.

“Tasmanian Police reported last week that thieves cut fencing to gain access to livestock from the Bass Highway at Hagley, slaughtering two bulls and stealing produce,” Mr Sauer said.

“This isn’t the first time something like this has happened.

“Earlier this year, we had instances where cattle were butchered on a farm after access was gained from a public road at a midlands property,” he said.

“The current penalties are just not enough to deter these crimes.

“We want to see stronger penalties to discourage this activity and urge farmers and the broader community to report any suspicious behaviour to the police to help put an end to these serious crimes,” Mr Sauer said.

“What we know anecdotally is that over the last 18 months, we’ve been hearing about more stock thefts than we have in quite some time, and there is a reluctance in certain areas to report these thefts.

“This type of trespass wouldn’t be tolerated in suburbs or inner cities, and it must be strongly policed in rural areas as well,” he said.

Mr Sauer said the problem for farmers is that securing their property isn’t as straightforward as securing a house in urban areas.

“Farmers can only put up cameras around sheds and yards.

“It’s crucial for both the general and farming communities that if they see anything suspicious, they try to note down a license plate, and if it’s safe, take a photo and report it to the police.“

Anyone with information relating to this incident or any other rural crime can contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000.